Fans to celebrate Mohammad Rafi's birth anniversary on tram

Kolkata: A die-hard fan of Mohammad Rafi and some of his friends will celebrate the birthday of the legendary singer this year with a difference. Mohammad Nizam, an employee with the state transport department, will embark on a musical journey in a one bogey tram along with his companions to celebrate Rafi Sahab’s 93rd birthday in style.which falls on Saturday.

“Kolkata trams are a part of heritage. Similarly, the mesmerising voice of Mohammad Rafi is like a heritage to me and my fan club that has 34 members including me. We will trundle through the entire Central and North Kolkata for three hours tomorrow (Saturday) churning out Md Rafi’s songs through out our journey,” Mr Nizam said.

The tram after starting its journey from the Esplanade depot will travel through BBD Bag, Lalbazar, Bidhan Sarani, Chitpore then come back through Sovabazar, Hatibagan, Shyambazar, College Street to Esplanade. It will halt for 20 minutes at the depots of Shyambazar, Belgachia where common people will get a chance to hear the group’s performance inside trams. The tram will be adorned with balloons, flexes and various photographs of the legendary singer.

“Every year we organise cultural programme in our locality to celebrate Rafi sahab’s birthday but this year we planned something different. Apart from rendition of Rafi’s number, we will reminisce the various episodes in his life,” added Nizam.

The group, apart from the grand celebration, has a message to deliver through its tram safari. “It pains us when we find that tram routes are being closed at many places in the city. We want these vehicles to stay because of its history and heritage,” he said.